<p>I took the SAT as a sophomore last year and recieved a 2260 (CR 790, M 670, W 800). I'm presently a junior, and I'm struggling with deciding whether or not to retest. I've been in advanced math classes since seventh grade, and I was surprised for my math score to be where it is. I feel like my math score needs to improve, but I fear recieving a lower score overall. </p>
<p>The schools I'm looking at are on the selective side (Vanderbilt, Wellesley, Brown, Vassar, UPenn). Is a lower math score cause for alarm?</p>
<p>Would it perhaps be a safer route to take the Math 2 subject test as opposed to retaking the SAT?</p>
<p>You should check if your top schools superscore the SAT. If they do then you could retake it without worrying too much about receiving a lower score. Most selective (Ivy league level) schools have an average score of about 2250, so you’re already on par to apply to those. </p>
<p>I found the Math 2 subject test easier to do well on than SAT 1 math. you’re allowed to miss more questions and still get top marks. The math questions are more straightforward and your calculator can pretty much solve the whole test for you. Definitely take it. You could decide whether or not to retake the SAT based on your score from the Math 2.</p>
<p>I would retake. For something like 750CR, 750W and 750 M, I wouldn’t bother at all. Don’t leave unneeded weaknesses in your application- especially since you’re applying to such prestigious schools. Unless you got your reading and writing scores by luck, you will probably score 750+ on those sections. Also, I was in the same situation as you (630 in writing). I retook the test and got the same math and reading scores, but with a 780 in writing. I say go for it.</p>
<p>I agree with cardgames. I’d say retake simply because your scores are very uneven, and if you’re taking advanced math you should definitely be able to score higher. I know Penn definitely superscores-not sure about your other colleges.
Good luck!</p>
<p>RETAKE: If you got a 700+ on all of the sections, that might be a debatable question, but since your math score is below 700, retake it! A low math score might call into question the rigor of your math classes anyways.</p>
<p>Penn does “superscore,” but keep in mind that they also require your entire testing history, which means that even if you score higher on your next SAT test, they will see the test in question as well. That isn’t necessarily a bad thing, though. If you improve your math score, it’ll show academic improvement, which obviously works in your favor. I just remember being a little surprised by the policy, so it’s good to be aware. Nonetheless, I would retake it. My philosophy is, if I have the time, it doesn’t hurt to try and get a higher score.</p>
<p>Regarding your fear of a lower score, it is possible. I got a 2280 (CR: 770, W: 770, and M: 740) the first time I took my SAT without any studying, so I decided to try studying and take it again. Of course, procrastination got the better of me, and I studied for a day or two before the exam. I ended up getting a 2190 (CR: 700, W: 800, and M: 690), so that was quite disappointing. I’m taking the SAT again in January with the intention of studying more proactively. Basically, if you fear that you’ll do worse, just try to study a little bit more to make sure that you have a greater likelihood of reproducing those scores, especially in the weaker areas - math, in your case. Even if you perform worse, most of the schools you listed accept, with the exception of Penn, score choice, so you’ll be able to hide the lower score.</p>
<p>Wow wait that’s almost EXACTLY my score from last January! Except I got 800 CR, 790 W. I was in exactly your position and I would definitely definitely definitely retake. You won’t look crazy cause you’ve only taken it once and it’s not a “balanced” score, and there’s a good chance your score will improve (though of course it’s not certain). I would advise getting a math tutor or taking a class (that’s what I did), and waiting a while to take it again; I took it for the second time in June. For the record, my score the 2nd time was a 2330 --800 WR, 770 CR, 760 M-- and my superscore ended up being a 2360! So I say absolutely go for it!</p>